Pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the growth of viruses and cancers

Abstract

This invention is a method of treating cancer, both carcinomas and sarcomas, and viral infections, in particular HIV through the administration of a pharmaceutical composition containing a benzimidazole derivative. The composition is also claimed. The benzimidazole derivative is selected from the group consisting of:wherein X is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl of less than 7 carbon atoms or alkoxy of less than 7 carbon atoms; n is a positive integer of less than 4; Y is hydrogen, chlorine, nitro, methyl, ethyl or oxychloro; R is hydrogen, alkylaminocarbonyl wherein the alkyl group has from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R2 is 4-thiazolyl, NHCOOR1 wherein R1 is aliphatic hydrocarbon of less than 7 carbon atoms, prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and mixtures thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for selectively inhibiting growth of colon cancer cells containing abnormal p53, the method comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a benzimidazole compound of the formula:                    
       wherein, 
       X is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl of less than 7 carbon atoms, or alkoxy of less than 7 carbon atoms;  
       n is a positive integer of less than 4;  
       Y is hydrogen, chloro, nitro, methyl, ethyl, or oxychloro;  
       R is hydrogen, an alkyl group of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or alkylaminocarbonyl wherein the alkyl group has from 3 to 6 carbon atoms; and  
       R 2  is NHCOOR 1 , wherein R 1  is an aliphatic hydrocarbon of less than 7 carbon atoms;  
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or mixtures thereof,  
       wherein growth of colon cancer cells containing abnormal p53 is selectively inhibited as compared to growth of cells containing normal p53.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said benzimidazole compound has the formula:                    
       wherein 
       R is hydrogen; and  
       R 2  is NHCOOR 1  wherein R 1  is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.  
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a hydrochloride salt. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said benzimidazole compound is in the form of a parenteral composition suitable for administration by injection. 
     
     
       5. A method for selectively inhibiting growth of colon cancer cells containing abnormal p53, the method comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising 2-(methoxycarbonylamino)benzimidazole wherein growth of colon cancer cells containing abnormal p53 is selectively inhibited as compared to growth of cells containing normal p53. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein said 2-(methoxycarbonylamino)benzimidazole is in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a hydrochloride salt.